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Direct Public Access


Instructing a barrister direct

In some areas of law, it is now possible for you to engage the services of a barrister without also instructing a solicitor. Barristers can now be instructed directly by the public, foreign lawyers, other professionals, and commercial organisations without incurring the additional expense of a solicitor.


The Bar Standards Board provides guidance for lay clients on instructing a barrister directly.



Pricing Structures


Brief fee and refresher


A brief fee is a fixed fee which covers preparation for a trial and the first day. A refresher is a fixed fee for each subsequent day of the trial (which includes ongoing preparation).


Capped fee


A barrister will charge an amount of money per hour (an hourly rate), but agree with the client that the total amount will not be more than a set level.


Conditional fee agreement


A client will only pay a barrister for work if they receive compensation as a result of the proceedings. Conditional fee agreements are popular with consumers and often referred to as “no win, no fee” agreements.


Fixed fee


A barrister will charge a client a set amount of money for work. There may also be circumstances where additional fees are charged.


Fact Sheets


We have fact sheets to give transparent information to our direct access clients in the most frequently used areas of direct instruction. Please click on the relevant link below, or if you want more information about fee quotes or timescales please contact the clerks:


Employment Law Cases


Financial Disputes in Divorce Cases


Inheritance Act Advice


Motoring Cases


Winding Up Petitions



Who does direct public access work in Chambers?

The members of Chambers who undertake direct public access work are listed below. Their own pages will give details of the areas in which they specialise.

Our team of clerks are always happy to discuss your requirements. Please contact either Stuart Sellen, Craig Brown or Cliff Strong on 020 7404 7000 or by email: clerks@thomasmore.co.uk.

Members Who Specialise


Cameron Maxwell Lewis

1974

Robert Deacon

1976

Philip Noble

1978

Simon Livingstone

1990

Manus Egan

1991

Sarah Lucy Cooper

1993

Rima Baruah

1994

Simon Gladwell

1996

Fiona Edington

1998

Laura Collignon

1998

Desiree Artesi

1998

Elaine Skittrell

1999

Amiot Vollenweider

2000

Ben Walker Nolan

2002

Clive Wolman

2003

Puneet Rai

2004

Nicholas Maggs

2006

Kerry Anne Currie

2007

Zoë Gibbon

2009

Jacob Gifford Head

2010

Stephanie Wookey

2010

Tracy Bird

2010

Charlotte Mitchell-Dunn

2012

Johan Grefstad

2015

Genevieve Moss

2015

Samuel Frost

2015

Patrick Wise-Walsh

2020

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Phone: +44 (0) 20 7404 7000 |

Email: clerks@thomasmore.co.uk

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